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The WatchCat spent a year in Russia and the Middle East in preparation for a government career. Unfortunately she got in a little too deep, and health problems sabotaged her career before it began. The future? Now there's an open question. She gets her paws in the action whenever possible, with or without a paycheck. WatchCat keeps busy supporting the troops, recruiting pararescue candidates, yelling at traitors and helping people navigate the grey areas on international everything.

A close family member is active duty US military, but due to OPSEC (and the general need for family peace), WatchCat is unable to write about that person's activities. She makes the most of the opportunities that God gives her, knowing that she should be dead by now.

And yes, she is married & is going to stay married. Smacks upside the head are delivered as needed to those who don't understand this.

WatchCat's Amazon

Any Amazon.com shopping you do via these links will help keep WatchCat in cream & ammo:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of
Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously)
to First Lieutenant Loren Douglas Hagen, United States Army (Reserve),
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the team leader of
a small reconnaissance team with the U.S. Army Training Advisory
Group, in action against enemy aggressor forces while operating deep
within enemy-held territory in the Republic of Vietnam, on 7 August
1971. At approximately 0630 hours on the morning of 7 August 1971 the
small team came under a fierce assault by a superior-sized enemy force
using heavy small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket fire.
First Lieutenant Hagen immediately began returning small-arms fire
upon the attackers and successfully led this team in repelling the
first enemy onslaught. He then quickly deployed his men into more
strategic defense locations before the enemy struck again in an
attempt to overrun and annihilate the beleaguered team's members.
First Lieutenant Hagen repeatedly exposed himself to- the enemy fire
directed at him as he constantly moved about the team's perimeter,
directing fire, rallying the members, and resupplying the team with
ammunition, while courageously returning small arms and hand grenade
fire in a valorous attempt to repel the advancing enemy force. The
courageous actions and expert leadership abilities of First Lieutenant
Hagen were a great source of inspiration and instilled confidence in
the team members. After observing an enemy rocket make a direct hit on
and destroy one of the team's bunkers, First Lieutenant Hagen moved
toward the wrecked bunker in search for team members despite the fact
that the enemy force now controlled the bunker area. With total
disregard for his own personal safety, he crawled through the enemy
fire while returning small-arms fire upon the enemy force. Undaunted
by the enemy rockets and grenades impacting all around him, First
Lieutenant Hagen desperately advanced upon the destroyed bunker until
he was fatally wounded by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire.
With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant
Hagen's courageous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity
above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his own life, were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
reflect great credit upon him and the United States
Army.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as chaplain on board
the U.S.S. Franklin when that vessel was fiercely attacked by enemy
Japanese aircraft during offensive operations near Kobe, Japan, on 19
March 1945. A valiant and forceful leader, calmly braving the perilous
barriers of flame and twisted metal to aid his men and his ship, Lt.
Comdr. O'Callahan groped his way through smoke-filled corridors to the
shells, rockets, and other armament. With the ship rocked by incessant
explosions, with debris and fragments raining down and fires raging in
ever-increasing fury, he ministered to the wounded and dying,
comforting and encouraging men of all faiths; he organized and led
firefighting crews into the blazing inferno on the flight deck; he
directed the jettisoning of live ammunition and the flooding of the
magazine; he manned a hose to cool hot, armed bombs rolling
dangerously on the listing deck, continuing his efforts, despite
searing, suffocating smoke which forced men to fall back gasping and
imperiled others who replaced them. Serving with courage, fortitude,
and deep spiritual strength, Lt. Comdr. O'Callahan.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters distinguished
himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak To. Chaplain Watters
was moving with one of the companies when it engaged a heavily armed
enemy battalion. As the battle raged and the casualties mounted,
Chaplain Watters, with complete disregard for his safety, rushed
forward to the line of contact. Unarmed and completely exposed, he
moved among, as well as in front of the advancing troops, giving aid
to the wounded, assisting in their evacuation, giving words of
encouragement, and administering the last rites to the dying. When a
wounded paratrooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting
forces, Chaplain Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his
shoulders and carried him to safety. As the troopers battled to the
first enemy entrenchment, Chaplain Watters ran through the intense
enemy fire to the front of the entrenchment to aid a fallen comrade. A
short time later, the paratroopers pulled back in preparation for a
second assault. Chaplain Watters exposed himself to both friendly and
enemy fire between the two forces in order to recover two wounded
soldiers. Later, when the battalion was forced to pull back into a
perimeter, Chaplain Watters noticed that several wounded soldiers were
lying outside the newly formed perimeter. Without hesitation and
ignoring attempts to restrain him, Chaplain Watters left the perimeter
three times in the face of small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar
fire to carry and to assist the injured troopers to safety. Satisfied
that all of the wounded were inside the perimeter, he began aiding the
medics ... applying field bandages to open wounds, obtaining and
serving food and water, giving spiritual and mental strength and
comfort. During his ministering, he moved out to the perimeter from
position to position redistributing food and water, and tending to the
needs of his men. Chaplain Watters was giving aid to the wounded when
he himself was mortally wounded. Chaplain Watters' unyielding
perseverance and selfless devotion to his comrades was in keeping with
the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

George Kirk, Sr. was a Marine and a Navajo Code Talker who passed away
in 1999. Recently his uniform was set to go up for auction but
thankfully Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly heard about it and was
able to get it returned to the tribe.

When Sergeant Cavaiani and the remaining platoon members could not
halt the enemy advance, he ordered his men to escape while he laid
down covering fire. As they ran, the citation said, he "recovered a
machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy
fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping
motion." Most of his men escaped. Sergeant Cavaiani was severely
wounded. He told the PBS series "American Valor" that he had "almost
120 shrapnel holes in me, and a couple of bullet holes." He said he
had played dead when enemy soldiers took the hill and then hid in the
jungle for more than 10 days before he was captured. He spent 23
months as a prisoner of war, much of that time in solitary
confinement. He was released in March 1973.

From Sgt. Maj. Cavaiani's Medal Of Honor citation:

S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in
action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving
as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an
isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the
morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage
of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and
mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted
with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly
exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's
perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a
desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy
suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period
with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be
evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the
ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt.
Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a
major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire,
S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he
calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their
defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted
visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground
attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small
force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy
volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade
fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand
grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy
barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy
force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining
platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover
fire. With one last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a
machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy
fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping
motion along the two ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt.
Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the
majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While
inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani
was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry,
extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above
and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
himself and the U.S. Army.

During his 41 years of service, Admiral Oscar Badger II saw action in
the U.S. occupation of Veracruz as well as both World Wars. He was
awarded four Legion of Merit awards, the Navy Cross as well as the
Medal Of Honor.

On September 15, Spc. 4 Donald Sloat was posthumously awarded the
Medal Of Honor for his actions in 1970 in Vietnam:

Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat distinguished himself by acts of
gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond
the call of duty, while serving as a machine gunner with 3rd Platoon,
Company D, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry
Brigade, Americal Division, during combat operations against an armed
enemy in the Republic of Vietnam, Jan. 17, 1970. D Company operated
out of Fire Support Base Hawk Hill in an area of I Corps. They were
located south and southwest of Danang providing security for local
villages and conducting regular searches for NVA units. The territory
they patrolled stretched from the coastal lowlands to the mountains
and jungle. North Vietnamese and Viet Cong activity was common in the
area, and D Company suffered regular casualties from snipers and booby
traps. On the morning of Jan. 17, 1970, Sloat's squad was conducting a
patrol, serving as a blocking element in support of tanks and armored
personnel carriers from F Troop in the Que Son valley. As the squad
moved through dense up a small hill in file formation, the lead
Soldier tripped a wire attached to a hand grenade booby-trap set up by
enemy forces. When the grenade rolled down the hill toward Sloat, he
had a choice. He could hit the ground and seek cover, or pick up the
grenade and throw it away from his fellow Soldiers. After initially
attempting to throw the grenade, Sloat realized that detonation was
imminent, and that two or three men near him would be killed or
seriously injured if he couldn't shield them from the blast. In an
instant, Sloat chose to draw the grenade to his body, shielding his
squad members from the blast, and saving their lives. Sloat's actions
define the ultimate sacrifice of laying down his own life in order to
save the lives of his comrades. Specialist Four Donald P. Sloat's
extraordinary heroism and selflessness are in keeping with the highest
traditions of military service, and reflect great credit upon himself,
his unit, and the United States Army.

*****
A quick note about this weeks post. Below is all the information that
could be found about Airman Second Class Gordon Thayer. Not everyone
who has served goes into the history books. The majority simply
return home and live their lives.

Airman Second Class Gordon Thayer

From Airman Second Class Thayer's Silver Star citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of
Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes
pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Airman Second Class Gordon
C. Thayer, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with
military operations against an opposing armed force near Phouc Vinh,
Republic of Vietnam on 25 August 1966. On that date, Airman Thayer was
a Pararescueman aboard a Rescue Helicopter, which was shot down and
forced to crash-land while attempting to evacuate wounded Army
personnel. Shaking off the effects of shock of the extremely hard
landing and with complete disregard for personal safety, Airman Thayer
tended to the Army wounded while subjecting himself to intense hostile
fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Airman Thayer has
reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air
Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of
Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished
Flying Cross to Airman Gordon C. Thayer, United States Air Force, for
heroism involving aerial flight as para-rescueman on an unarmed and
unarmored CH-3C helicopter over North Vietnam on 27 July 1965. On that
date, Airman Thayer's aircraft penetrated the surface-to-air missile
envelope surrounding Hanoi, North Vietnam, to successfully recover a
pilot who had abandoned his crippled aircraft in that area. This
recovery operation involved flight in excess of 300 miles over hostile
territory under marginal weather conditions and without navigational
aids. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty
demonstrated by Airman Thayer reflect great credit upon himself and
the United States Air Force.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so
that we may get to enjoy our freedom. For that I am proud to call
them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When
There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more
information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on
your site, you can go here.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and
beyond the call of duty on 7 September 1944, near Besancon, France.
Technician 5th Grade Maxwell and 3 other soldiers, armed only with .45
caliber automatic pistols, defended the battalion observation post
against an overwhelming onslaught by enemy infantrymen in
approximately platoon strength, supported by 20mm. flak and machinegun
fire, who had infiltrated through the battalion's forward companies
and were attacking the observation post with machinegun, machine
pistol, and grenade fire at ranges as close as 10 yards. Despite a
hail of fire from automatic weapons and grenade launchers, Technician
5th Grade Maxwell aggressively fought off advancing enemy elements
and, by his calmness, tenacity, and fortitude, inspired his fellows to
continue the unequal struggle. When an enemy hand grenade was thrown
in the midst of his squad, Technician 5th Grade Maxwell unhesitatingly
hurled himself squarely upon it, using his blanket and his unprotected
body to absorb the full force of the explosion. This act of
instantaneous heroism permanently maimed Technician 5th Grade Maxwell,
but saved the lives of his comrades in arms and facilitated
maintenance of vital military communications during the temporary
withdrawal of the battalion's forward headquarters.

For valor and courage above and beyond the call of duty as
Officer-in-Charge of Small Boats in the USS LST-375 during the
amphibious assault on the island of Sicily, 9-10 July 1943. Realizing
that a detonation of explosives would prematurely disclose to the
enemy the assault about to be carried out, and with full knowledge of
the peril involved, Ens. Parle unhesitatingly risked his life to
extinguish a smoke pot accidentally ignited in a boat carrying charges
of high explosives, detonating fuses and ammunition. Undaunted by fire
and blinding smoke, he entered the craft, quickly snuffed out a
burning fuse, and after failing in his desperate efforts to extinguish
the fire pot, finally seized it with both hands and threw it over the
side. Although he succumbed a week later from smoke and fumes inhaled,
Ens. Parle's heroic self-sacrifice prevented grave damage to the ship
and personnel and insured the security of a vital mission. He
gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

For extraordinary heroism in action on 5 and 6 April 1945, near
Viareggio, Italy. Then Second Lieutenant Baker demonstrated
outstanding courage and leadership in destroying enemy installations,
personnel, and equipment during his company's attack against a
strongly entrenched enemy in mountainous terrain. When his company was
stopped by the concentration of fire from several machine gun
emplacements, he crawled to one position and destroyed it, killing
three Germans. Continuing forward, he attacked an enemy observation
post and killed two occupants. With the aid of one of his men,
Lieutenant Baker attacked two more machine gun nests, killing or
wounding the four enemy soldiers occupying these positions. He then
covered the evacuation of the wounded personnel of his company by
occupying an exposed position and drawing the enemy's fire. On the
following night Lieutenant Baker voluntarily led a battalion advance
through enemy mine fields and heavy fire toward the division
objective. Second Lieutenant Baker's fighting spirit and daring
leadership were an inspiration to his men and exemplify the highest
traditions of the Armed Forces.

A different post this week. I don't know anything about Mr. Berry's
service, all I do know is that he, and his family, need our help.
Mike Berry has served in the Army and National Guard for 23 years and
in 2012 was experiencing strange smells, shakiness and feeling faint.
Then one day, while making dinner, he passed out. He was taken to the
ER where they found a brain tumor.

You can find more information about Mr. Berry, and how you can help,
here

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so
others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them
Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When
There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more
information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on
your site, you can go here.

The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a paramilitary aviation
organization. In 1943 they were created when the Women's Flying
Training Detachment (WFTD) and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron
(WAFS) were merged together. The female pilots of the WASP ended up
numbering 1,074, each freeing a male pilot for combat service and
duties. They flew over 60 million miles in every type of military
aircraft. The WASP was granted veteran status in 1977, and given the
Congressional Gold Medal in 2009. Some 25,000 women applied to join
the WASP, but only 1,830 were accepted and took the oath. Only 1,074
of them passed the training and joined. Thirty-eight died flying in
the WASP

Three days before Christmas in 1943, two hours past midnight, 14 men
climbed into an airplane and lifted into the dark sky over the
slumbering hamlet of West Palm Beach. Their journey lasted but a few
moments, and killed every one of them.

Capt. Linda Bray made national headlines when she became the first
woman in U.S. history to lead troops into combat during the 1989
invasion of Panama. As a result she was met with a lot of resistance
and anger to what she had accomplished because she was a woman.

Bray and 45 soldiers under her command, nearly all of them men,
encountered a unit of Panamanian special operations soldiers holed up
inside a military barracks and dog kennel. They killed three of the
enemy and took one prisoner before the rest were forced to
flee.

Patriotic Website Award

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"Even to the death fight for truth, and the Lord your God will battle for you." -Sirach 4:28

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PJ Country

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" -Isaiah 6:8

As many of you are aware, the PJCountry blog disappeared in November 2008.
I'm doing my best to help the pararescue community by sharing PJ-related news and events on my blog. The following information may be helpful:

You will find answers to many questions at pararescue.com and specialtactics.com

If you're ready to become a PJ, you'll need to decide between Active Duty and Reserve. This will determine who will handle your official recruitment. Visit Contacts and POCs to find the appropriate person or email me.

304th Pararescue Team (Reserve) (Oregon)
If you're on the west coast near Oregon and are considering being a PJ/CRO on the Portland Pararescue Team (commitment of 4 years beyond training), contact TSgt Stanley Iakopo at stanley.iakopo AT us.af.mil or email me.

I have no official role with pararescue or other SpecOps but I know enough to get you connected to the right people. Email to CAT at THEWATCHCAT dot NET

Jubilate Agno, Fragment B

[For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry]

by Christopher Smart

For he is the servant of the Living God, duly and daily serving him.
For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in
his way.
For is this done by wreathing his body seven times round with elegant
quickness.
For he keeps the Lord's watch in the night against the adversary.
For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For he purrs in thankfulness when God tells him he's a good Cat.
For he is an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.
For every house is incomplete without him, and a blessing is lacking in
the spirit.
For he is the cleanest in the use of his forepaws of any quadruped.
For he is the quickest to his mark of any creature.
For there is nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.
For there is nothing brisker than his life when in motion.
For by stroking of him I have found out electricity.